Backup Tech Hails Productive PLASA Show 2026

PLASA Show 2026 closed its doors for another year, with Backup Tech delighted to take part.

Stationed in the #WeMakeEvents hub at Olympia, the charity and its Ambassadors spent the week meeting and speaking with a steady stream of visitors.

Across the show, Backup ran two popular seminars, Talking Health & Welfare and Building A Sustainable Live Events Workforce. It also convened a breakfast meeting that gathered associations, unions, groups and charities to explore closer collaboration in supporting the people who work behind the scenes in entertainment and live events.

"It wouldn't be PLASA if we weren't rushed off our feet, and this year we had a packed schedule," said Backup Chair, Lee Dennison. "We took the opportunity to meet with Partners who were also exhibiting at the show, the seminars gave us the chance to highlight some of the important issues the industry is facing. The breakfast meeting was, to our knowledge, the first time the various groups had come together as a whole and elicited some positive conversations. There will be more to follow as we continue to collaborate."

Talking Health & Welfare focused on wellbeing under pressure, featuring Backup’s Jess Allan, Ambassador Gemma Fletcher, Trustee Mig Burgess, Psychotherapist Tiffany Hudson representing BAPAM, and Joe Hastings, CEO of Music Support. Building A Sustainable Live Events Workforce was chaired by Lee and brought together panellists Suzi Green, Backup Ambassador and founder of the BACK LOUNGE, Paul Jones from the UK Live Event Freelancers Forum (also a Backup Ambassador), and Jon Cowley FCCA, Partner at David Howard Chartered Accountants, offering practical guidance on building more resilient careers.

Backup's fundraising also received two welcome lifts at the show. On the Classic Gear Live stand, thanks to Rob Halliday, a chance clear-out unearthed a box of six pristine copies of A Different Light, a collection of striking images by Lewis Lee from shows by Genesis, Pink Floyd and others. One copy was sold each day via blind auction, with the final copy raffled, raising over £850 in total.

A further boost came from the PLASA Innovation Awards, with profits from entry fees once again donated to Backup Tech, adding £4,000. Backup extended thanks to PLASA, Rob and all seminar contributors, volunteers, partners and industry friends, noting that such support underpins its work.

www.plasa.org